The Cafe Royal Bar, Edinburgh

The original Café Royal was founded in 1826 but was relocated to its new premises in 1863 a couple of years after the present building was built, initially as a showroom for gas and bathroom fittings. In 1901 it was relaunced as a pub and has now become one of the Cities most noted and famous hostelries. The building narrowly escaped the wrecking ball in 1969 when Woolworths, who at the time owned the building, intended to demolish it to make way for a car park extension but the plans were scuppered following heated protests and a petition of nearly 9,000 people. A detailed history can be found inside on a pillar by the bar. Much of the more than impressive interior is original however the island bar is a 1979 replacement with the gantry added in 2002. The bar does tend to squeeze some of the seating to the edges making things a bit cramped so bagging one of the leather bay seated areas on the window sides is probablt the favoured option but you need to get there early. The standout feature is the series of 6 Royal Doulton tiled murals in the main bar depicting a host of great inventors. A screen at one end separates the main bar from the Oyster Bar that now appears to be for diners with the first floor Bistro now a separately run enterprise with its own entrance. The Oyster bar contains a further 3 tiled murals and also a series of fine stained glass windows featuring sporting figures. If not dining, you can still peek through the open doorway to admire the décor. There were 4 local ales available (Caledonian Deuchars, Kelburn Red Smiddy, Cairngorm Trade Winds and Kelburn Misty Law) albeit not much you won’t find easily elsewhere around the City. Despite being such an opulence and up-market ambience, drink prices were pretty reasonable for the area with my Red Smiddy at £3.30 although the food prices were somewhat more prohibitive to the average casual drinker. The place should rank high on any pub visitor’s agenda and is a treat to visit but the crowds can make it a bit uncomfortable so I only stayed for one pint. Next time I’ll claim my spot early and make a longer session of it.